Shortly after the news broke out that Cary Hiryoki Tagawa will reprise his shang tsun role, Warner Brothers has issued a full press release detailing the new cast of the second season of the Web series Mortal Kombat Legacy as well as a debut date.
The Cast will see some changes and additions. First of all Brian tee will portray the traditional hero Liu Kang, while Marc Dacascos is cast as his loyal friend Kung Lao. Harry Shun Jr. (Glee) will play Kuai Liang, the younger Sub-zero who took the mantle after his older brother dies in the first tournament.
Matt Mullins who portrayed Johnny Cage in the first season of the web series has been replaced by Casper Van Dein (starship troopers). Jerry Ryan and Tahmoh Peniket who played snoya and stryker respectively in the first season, have both been confirmed as not returning to the series with their roles going to unannounced actors.
Ian anthony dale will repise his role as the undead scorpion, while no mention if Ryan robins will still play Rayden.
The Press release also mentions that the series will debut on Machinima.com on Q2 2013 with a first preview clip set to be shown at the 2013 Streamy awards on February 17th.
Below is the full press release from Warner Brothers:
"BURBANK, CALIF., December 3, 2012 – A second season of the hit live-action web series “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” is currently in production in Los Angeles and will debut worldwide in Q2 2013 exclusively on Machinima, the number one entertainment network on YouTube. Based on the best-selling “Mortal Kombat” videogame franchise, Kevin Tancharoen (“Mortal Kombat: Legacy”) returns to direct and co-write “Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2″ alongside writers Josh Baizer and Marshall Johnson (“Dead Loss”).
The first season of “Mortal Kombat: Legacy” was one of the most-viewed web series of 2011 with more than 60 million views to date on Machinima. In the second season the saga continues as Liu Kang and Ermac join the ranks of fighters introduced in the first season of the web series including Kenshi, Kung Lao, Kuai Lang, Stryker, Kitana, Mileena, Johnny Cage, Scorpion and Sub Zero. This new season will uncover the rivalries and histories of these fierce warriors as Raiden and his recruits clash against the dark forces of Outworld. The epic battle for Earthrealm has finally begun!
“Fans are in for a real treat with the second season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy,” said Tancharoen. “With added visual effects and storylines that dive deeper into our warriors as they make their way to the tournament, we’re taking this series to a whole new level. I’m really looking forward to showing fans the first clip during the Streamy Awards on February 17. ”
“Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2″ features stars from television and film – many of whom have real-world martial arts experience. The cast includes Harry Shum, Jr. (“Glee”) as the warlord adviser “Kuai Liang,” Casper Van Dien (“Starship Troopers”) as martial arts film actor “Johnny Cage,” Brian Tee (“The Wolverine”) as Shaolin Monk “Liu Kang,” Mark Dacascos (“Cradle 2 the Grave “) as “Kung Lao” – a close friend of “Liu Kang,” Ian Anthony Dale (“Hawaii Five-O”) returns as the resurrected ninja “Scorpion,” and reprising his role he made famous in the “Mortal Kombat” theatrical release – Cary Tagawa as the powerful, arrogant sorcerer “Shang Tsung.”
“Machinima and our audience have been eagerly awaiting the next chapter in this series, and I’m thrilled to announce that Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2 will return to its original home on Machinima,” said Allen DeBevoise, Chairman, Co-Founder, and CEO of Machinima. “We have become a destination for episodic narrative series thanks in part to the first season of Mortal Kombat: Legacy, and we look forward to breaking new ground with this much anticipated new season.”
“Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2″ comes from producer Lance Sloane (“H+: The Digital Series” / “Act of Valor”) and Kevin Tancharoen (“Mortal Kombat: Legacy”) who also serves as the series’ director. Production services are provided by Bandito Brothers, and Hayden Roush and Marina Stabile serve as Line Producers. The series is written by Josh Baizer, Marshall Johnson and Kevin Tancharoen. “Mortal Kombat: Legacy 2″ is produced by Warner Bros. Digital Distribution and distributed by Machinima, Inc.
Mortal Kombat was first released on October 8, 1992. Since then it has become known as one of the darkest fighting games on the market. Famed for its mortal competition, fatalities and dark sense of humor, the game has been released on all major consoles, as well as arcade machines. The original development team, now known as NetherRealm Studios, led by creative director Ed Boon, continues to develop the game and build upon the existing success and rich story it has created to date.
The latest chapter of “Mortal Kombat” was released in 2011 by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment, marking a triumphant return to the series’ roots in the fastest and most brutal installment to date. The game returned to a mature presentation and reinvented its classic 2D fighting mechanic in addition to adding new gameplay features including tag team, a deeper story mode, and nostalgic arcade battle online and offline. Selling more than three million units worldwide, the reinvention of the franchise became the highest-selling fighting game of the year and won numerous “Best Fighting Game” awards, including Spike TV’s 2011 Video Game Awards, 2012 Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences Interactive Achievement Awards, and recognition from Game Informer, Official Xbox Magazine and GameTrailers.com."